“Finding a home with hidden potential is a great way to save money, especially if you’re willing to do things yourself,” says Ty Pennington, host of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”. In the kitchen, adding new hardware and under-cabinet lighting to illuminate the counters better will immediately refresh the space, he adds.

Bathrooms are small, but sometimes the biggest projects are in these spaces, says Ty Pennington, host of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”. “Steer clear of anything that could be a bigger bite than you can chew.” Easy updates that he recommends include painting cabinets, changing out sink fixtures and updating the lighting. “Most home improvement stores have a great variety of vanity lighting available that comes with all the necessary hardware,” adds Ty.

Photographer:

Angus McRitchie

Tip 3: Add Oomph With Living Room Accessories

In this House & Home photo, pops of rich red add vibrant personality to an otherwise neutral space.

"Changing out accessories like throw rugs, pillows, and maybe a couple of lamps can bring an entirely new vibe to the living room," says Ty.

Photographer:

Tracy Shumate

Tip 4: Create A DIY Headboard

A stylish headboard acts as an anchor for the master bedroom.

“If you’re romantic, then all you need is plywood, batting, gorgeous fabric and a staplegun,” says Ty Pennington, host of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”. “If you’re more modern, work with MDF, some simple mouldings and a gallon of glossy brown or black paint.” Another must? “A dimmer switch. Mood is very important in a bedroom.”

“I rarely use blue in a dining room,” says Ty Pennington, host of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”. “Persimmon, cranberry, pumpkin, celery…these are good colours for a dining room.” Can’t afford an expensive buffet or sideboard? “Create easy serving and storage by using unused corners and installing shelves,” he recommends.

When people finish a basement, they often forget to create space for all of the items they stored there previously.

“Be sure and incorporate closets and built-in shelves to your basement design,” says Ty Pennington, host of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”. “Then, focus on lighting and the walls—covering cinderblock is not always easy and you want to make sure you consider moisture barriers and use the correct primer and paint.”

Tip 7: Consider Vertical Storage For Small Spaces

Too much furniture and clutter can make a cramped space seem even smaller.

“Chances are the extra furniture you have in a small room serves a common purpose: storage,” says Ty Pennington, host of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”. Instead of relying on multiple short bookshelves or cabinets, look up. Adding a shelf around the top of the room, for instance, can make a room appear bigger and solve the storage problem, he says.

Use stencils or stamps and paint to create wall art or add depth to an otherwise flat colour.

“Find pre-made shapes at a craft store, stop by the home-improvement centre and grab a couple of quarts of paint from the bargain shelf,” explains Ty Pennington, host of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”. That’s one of the tips in his new book, Good Design Can Change Your Life. As he says, “By the end of the day, you can have a motif on your wall that brings fresh colour and pop to any room. And every time you walk by it, you’ll smile and think, ‘Thanks Ty, that was so easy!'”